Burnout Dreamscene? Then Dream of Whatever Floats Your Skirt

Lauren embodies the whimsy and allure of Marilyn.

There are some days where we get burned out on dream-chasing.

You can call it a creative burnout dreamscene…

That means it’s time to think outside the box or bring the old box out and rummage through for a new perspective. I was playing (the best dream work happens when it doesn’t feel like work at all) and discovered something adorable.

While showing Lauren her images in the back of the camera, I flipped back and forth to these two over and over again. We laughed at how it looked animated. After uploading, I knew I wanted to try to recreate the flip of the dress that made us giggle.

Some days, dream work stalls. If you focus on having fun, something new might turn up.

Melinda Smith, M.A., Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., and Robert Segal, M.A of helpguide.org offer the following strategies for recovering from burnout:

• Burnout recovery strategy #1: Slow down

When you’ve reached the end stage of burnout, adjusting your attitude or looking after your health isn’t going to solve the problem. You need to force yourself to slow down or take a break. Cut back whatever commitments and activities you can. Give yourself time to rest, reflect, and heal.

• Burnout recovery strategy #2: Get support

When you’re burned out, the natural tendency is to protect what little energy you have left by isolating yourself. But your friends and family are more important than ever during difficult times. Turn to your loved ones for support. Simply sharing your feelings with another person can relieve some of the stress. The other person doesn’t have to ret to “fix” your problems; he or she just has to be a good listener. Opening up won’t make you a burden to others. In fact, most friends will be flattered that you trust them enough to confide in them, and it will only strengthen your friendship.

• Burnout recovery strategy #3: Reevaluate your goals and priorities

Burnout is an undeniable sign that something important in your life is not working. Take time to think about your hopes, goals, and dreams. Are you neglecting something that is truly important to you? Burnout can be an opportunity to rediscover what really makes you happy and to change course accordingly.

What fun are you going to have this week? What strategies do you use when you experience creative burnout?

Iman Woods
Seeing the beauty in you!

Give us your thoughts!

Iman Woods is an American artist who specializes in pin-up photography. Through a unique and therapeutic process, she’s spent over a decade in perfecting, Iman helps women undo the damage from a negative self-image and unrealistic beauty industry expectations. She helps women embrace their own style of beauty and see themselves in a new light. You can find her on her website, Iman Woods.

Dream Accessories

8WomenDream Big Dream Tips

More about us

We believe in your power to achieve your dreams. It is our sincerest wish through the sharing of our personal dream experiences that we will inspire you to pursue your big dream.
Regular story contributors typically share dream tips once a week for a year while series contributors share short story pieces every 3 months. Single guest contributors share one dream story.